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* Greg Hinz…
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin is claiming he has the votes to retain his post as the U.S. Senate’s second-ranking Democrat. […]
Durbin long ago was pushed aside by his former D.C. roommate, New York’s Chuck Schumer, in the contest to succeed Reid as Democratic leader. But there’s been considerable speculation as to whether Schumer or the caucus wanted further change.
A new piece in Politico says that Durbin and Washington’s Patty Murray are still “circling” over the second slot. It says Murray is “refusing to rule out any of her options.”
But Team Durbin sounds awfully confident.
Says spokesman Ben Marter, “Durbin would be honored to continue to serve the caucus, and has the support to do that.”
Bruce Rauner will spend maybe $100 million, even maybe $150 million on his reelection bid. So, the Democrats are gonna need somebody with either very high name recognition (which Durbin has) or lots and lots of money with lots of rich friends. Or somebody with both.
*** UPDATE *** From the Daily North Shore…
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Springfield) definitively said he will not be a candidate for governor of Illinois in 2018 against Gov. Bruce Rauner. […]
“I have priorities I want to accomplish in the Senate,” said Durbin. “There are other good people out there. If I take a step back hopefully some of them will emerge and step up.”
One potential gubernatorial candidate Durbin mentioned by name in a DailyNorthShore.com interview was Christopher G. Kennedy of Kenilworth, a former chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.
The son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.), Chris Kennedy is also the chairman of the Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, Inc., the investment firm of the Kennedy Family, according to Kennedy’s LinkedIn profile.
“I’ve encouraged him to get out there and talk to people around the state,” said Durbin.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 2:39 pm
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===Bruce Rauner will spend maybe $100 million…===
You can stop there, I need to breathe. Whoa. Then there’s $150 million out there…
You stay in the Senate. I don’t blame Durbin in the least, lol.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Even if he “has the support” to stay number 2. Does he really want to do that? Gonna be a different crew, and he is going to be pushed aside under team Schumer.
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Tio.
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 2:44 pm
Face facts, Durbin has never delivered much to Illinois through his Senate leadership, so why would we want him to run Illinois? For my money, I want someone who will move Illinois forward, not back.Rauner is a loser. Any Democrat that runs will defeat him.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 2:52 pm
===Gonna be a different crew, and he is going to be pushed aside under team Schumer.===
Not necessarily the way it works in the US Senate. Especially if Clinton is President. He will want Durbin there if for nothing else to help keep raising money.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Senator Durbin does have options. Durbin doesn’t need anywhere near that kind of money to take on Bruce Rauner. Illinois voters have no problem voting for a Democrat for Governor that wants to raise taxes. Many Illinois voters wouldn’t be upset if Illinois went to a progressive tax and had a top rate of 9%. It might hurt Illinois , in the long run, but it’s doable here in Illinois.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:01 pm
===Any Democrat that runs will defeat him.===
The last sitting Illinois governor that was defeated at the ballot box… was…
It’s tough to beat a seated Illinois governor, especially one with, for openers, $100 million, to take you on.
Rauner is the favorite right now, history and money is on his side.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:01 pm
It hasn’t been put out there, but is Durbin a potential cabinet pick for a President Clinton? Who’s stronger on foreign affairs in the Senate to be a potential SecState pick? The Foreign Relations Committee is mostly younger senators.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:06 pm
-Oswego Willy-
I hope you are right. But, this is a deep blue state and a Governor who doesn’t have high approval ratings. Although, I think he’s doing a great job: I doubt the typical Illinois voter thinks this.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Two years as possible Majority Whip are better than being battered with $100 million of negativity by Rauner.
Patty Murray will likely be set up to succeed Durbin as Senate Dems #2, which won’t even be that fun because there’s a trounce coming in two years.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:07 pm
Oooh! I know the answer! Pat Quinn!
But in all seriousness, a sitting Republican Governor has not run for reelection since 1994, and the dynamic is certainly different now than it was then. Rauner is no Edgar. On the other hand, Edgar didn’t have $100 million. I’ll say Rauner is the favorite based off the fact that you can’t beat somebody with nobody, but I’m going to wait until things heat up before making a prediction.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:07 pm
“The last sitting Illinois governor that was defeated at the ballot box… was…”
Ooh! finally a question I know the answer to…
Quinn! right?
why? He was put on earth to end the pension problem…
result?
We gave Rauner a chance …at least 40% of Union families did.
We won’t be fooled again.
(not to say Rauner’s $$$ don’t concern me…)
Comment by LeadingInDecatur Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:08 pm
===Although, I think he’s doing a great job: I doubt the typical Illinois voter thinks this.===
Crain’s Chicago Business might not agree with you either. Just saying…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:09 pm
Name recognition and money, or both.
Not sure anyone exists who checks the both those boxes. I would add “not having anything to do with Springfield” to the list of preferred attributes.
Comment by Flip Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:10 pm
==Rauner is the favorite right now, history and money is on his side.
Who has Rauner added who didn’t vote for him last time? Who has he lost? I think most are in that second category for those who just couldn’t handle Quinn and thought Rauner wouldn’t be that bad. I don’t think Rauner has added any voters other than the inevitable anecdotes responding to this post.
I would expect the 2018 cycle to be similar to 2014 in terms of turnout and I would expect some Rs picking up Lege seats. But assuming Democrats put up someone not named Quinn, who does he beat? Especially with no budget on the horizon…
Even in a Republican year, the fundamentals are against him and he isn’t the Republican who can pick up disaffected Democrats now.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:20 pm
=== “not having anything to do with Springfield”
How’d that work with Rauner?
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:21 pm
Next in line Mike Madigan,that’s who my govenor really wants to run against. The debates would be epic
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:28 pm
RAHM
Comment by Reformed Public Servant Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:34 pm
I never believed the Durbin for Guv hype, but this may finally put it to rest.
Dems will now have a bloody, costly primary. The last thing they need before taking on Rauner.
Comment by TR Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:39 pm
===is Durbin a potential cabinet pick===
Not as long as Illinois has a Republican governor.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:53 pm
===He will want Durbin there if for nothing else to help keep raising money.===
Ok, so he is there to raise money. Doesn’t exactly sound like the inner sanctum to me. How is this a better deal than what he has now, or even break even?
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:54 pm
No tinfoil hat conspiracies of Barack Obama running for Governor yet? He meets both of the requirements.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:57 pm
What’s Obama doing in 2018?
Comment by Stuff Happens Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Quinn lost.
Quinn was outspent and defined by so much money, the Quinn negatives… whoa.
Rauner won’t get outspent, Rauner won’t let his message be muted, and Rauner will spend $100+ million that…
… Quinn…
Never had.
Richard Ogilvie lost as a sitting governor, Dan Walker lost his primary.
Three, including Quinn, since 1972… three.
Tough ask.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:02 pm
@Demoralized
No tinfoil hat, but there is lots of wishing for Michelle Obama.
Comment by TR Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:03 pm
===No tinfoil hat conspiracies of Barack Obama running for Governor yet? He meets both of the requirements.===
How about Michelle??? Haha. Right. They want to enjoy life in Hawaii. Who can blame them?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:05 pm
Isn’t there a Kennedy in Illinois….
Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Penny Pritzker. Name and money.
Comment by Downstate Dem Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:18 pm
Keep an eye on Chris Kennedy, who has reportedly impressed county chairs and party leaders throughout most of downstate (Southern IL and the Quad Cities).
Comment by Downstate Dem Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:23 pm
All the folks hoping and praying that Durbin would run for Guv. better drop their hash pipes and join the real world. I said this before, he’s not going to give up his membership in the the exclusive club of America to get his reputation obliterated in an election against Rauner. Nope.
Comment by Madigan's Lapdog Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Oh Yea, that Kennedy….
Comment by anon Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:24 pm
===…who has reportedly impressed county chairs and party leaders throughout most of downstate (Southern IL and the Quad Cities).===
… when not looking like someone under indictment, running away from reporters… and elevators…
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Oswego - I guess you missed Kennedy’s Springfield event (with former Gov. Jim Edgar) where he took questions from a dozen statehouse reporters a couple weeks ago.
Comment by Downstate Dem Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Money doesn’t talk. It screams.
Comment by Nobel Laureate Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:34 pm
Um, - Donstate Dem -
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 28, 16 @ 10:26 am
…
To the Post,
Edgar is giving ridiculous cache to Kennedy, sharing a stage with Kennedy…
… exactly as Edgar shared a stage with Rauner.
You share a stage with a former governor as you field questions, that’s a powerful message, and instant credibility.
It’s not up for discussion. Edgar sharing a stage gave Kennedy a boost.===
Do yourself a solid.
Keep up, lighten up.
Your thin skin isn’t helping Kennedy. Honest.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:37 pm
If Chris Kennedy is the answer then it would probably be best to save money on the election and just let the Governor keep the keys.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:37 pm
===I would expect the 2018 cycle to be similar to 2014 in terms of turnout===
I hope you’re right. I’m expecting 2018 to resemble 1994, which is bad news for the Democrats almost regardless of the nominee. Anything can happen and I hope I’m wrong, but if it shapes up that way, Quinn might be the only Democrat dumb enough to run.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:41 pm
==Rauner is no Edgar.==
No ramp to hide behind, I suppose.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Really weird sentence structure there DailyNorthShore.com
He definitely said it. But did he say he definitely wouldn’t run?
Also, I just saw Chris Kennedy running for an elevator. He definitely looked like he definitely wasn’t running for governor.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:49 pm
“Not as long as Illinois has a Republican governor.”
Forgot all about the appointment process….last time around it went swimmingly…
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:50 pm
===I’m expecting 2018 to resemble 1994, which is bad news for the Democrats almost regardless of the nominee.
Actually 2010 was worse than 1994 for Democrats. Neither was good mind you, but I’d take a 1994 in Illinois and still expect a Democrat of any competence to win. Illinois has grown more blue since 1994.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:50 pm
My point (Oswego) is that Kennedy took questions from a dozen reporters for a long time in Springfield after the Better Gov’t Ass’n event with Edgar. That’s all.
Comment by Downstate Dem Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:54 pm
Kennedy make sense, but don’t assume he’s gonna have the money to slug it our with Rauner. There are a lot puppies nursing off that family you-know-what.
But he has name rec and should have little trouble raising other people’s money. Can counter Rauner by projecting a pro-business and pro-labor profile. Has to develop a thicker skin. But I still think Tom Dart would be the Dems best candidate.
Comment by TR Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 4:59 pm
===…I guess you missed Kennedy’s Springfield event (with former Gov. Jim Edgar) where he took questions from a dozen statehouse reporters a couple weeks ago.===
Nah, you took the snark as a slight and “guessed” I missed something…
I can read, thanks.
Oh, and that was after the ridiculousness of the elevator, if you hadn’t guessed.
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 5:00 pm
Chris has name appeal,don’t need the job,and is an outsider. My govenor is now an insider with low approval sad
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 5:21 pm
Read Daniel Henninger’s column in today’s WSJ. Our senator could be out by way of Senators Warren and Sanders. Mark my words–every politician that states that he/she is not interested in running for some office will definitely be the candidate.It’s already been decided–Durbin is the Democratic candidate for Illinois governor in 2018.
Comment by illinicpa2 Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 7:29 pm
Unless the Governor spends the $150M on a giant neuralyzer (Men in Black style), mounts it on a tall building in Chicago, and radiates the whole State so we forget his first term completely does he have any chance of being re-elected in 2018.
Comment by peon Thursday, Oct 27, 16 @ 10:33 pm